MLB Player News

Manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Skubal is "unlikely" to pitch in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the White Sox if the Tigers have already clinched a wild-card spot but still have seeding at stake, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The Tigers would still have the American League Cy Young frontrunner take the hill Sunday if the team has not yet locked up a playoff berth by then. However, with the Tigers' magic number down to three, any combination of Detroit wins or Minnesota losses over the next three days would punch the Tigers' ticket to the postseason prior to Sunday. Hinch seemingly prefers not to have Skubal take the hill if the four through six seeds in the American League postseason remain unsettled heading into Sunday, instead preferring to save his ace for Game 1 of the wild-card round, which begins Tuesday.

Stroman (10-9) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up six runs on 10 hits over 3.1 innings as the Yankees fell 9-7 to the Orioles. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander's contact-heavy approach betrayed him, as the O's began the game with six straight singles and grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first inning that they would never relinquish. Stroman is limping to the finish line on the regular season, posting a 6.59 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB over his last six appearances and 27.1 innings, and he seems likely to get shifted to the bullpen in the playoffs.

Eflin came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 win over the Yankees, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out one.

The Orioles staked Eflin to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and were ahead 7-1 by the top of the fourth, but the right-hander's control issues prevented him from lasting the required five innings to qualify for an easy win. The five free passes were a season high for Eflin, and equaled the total from his six prior starts combined. He wraps up the regular season with a 10-9 record, 3.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 134:24 K:BB through 165.1 innings.

Basso (1-1) took the loss against Texas on Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk over three innings while striking out three.

Basso ran into a buzz saw in the first inning, allowing five-consecutive batters to reach to open things up while seeing three early runs come home for Texas. The lefty then got tagged for a two-run homer in the third after giving up a leadoff single to begin the frame and he would not return for the fourth. Basso had gone at least into the fifth inning in three straight starts coming in, allowing three or fewer runs on each occasion. However, Wednesday's five runs allowed marked a season high for the 26-year-old, as did the two long balls he surrendered in the contest.

Bradford did not factor into the decision in a win over Oakland on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

Bradford struggled with his command out of the gate, allowing two hits in each of the first two innings while also allowing a runner to advance on a wild pitch in the third. The southpaw was later relieved by Matt Festa with two outs in the fourth after the former reached 90 pitches on the night. Bradford has now failed to make it through four innings in two of his last three starts after previously going five or more innings in six straight. On a positive note, he's also given up one run or fewer in three of his last four outings.

Woods Richardson allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two batters over one-plus inning in a no-decision against Miami on Wednesday.

Woods Richardson had an awful first frame, falling behind 3-0 after three batters on a home run by Jake Burger. He gave up two consecutive hits after the long ball -- in all, Miami's first five batters of the game reached base against him -- but Woods Richardson managed to bounce back and retire the next three hitters, including two by strikeout, to escape without allowing any more runs. The right-hander returned for the second inning and yielded a single to each of the first two batters before he was given the hook. The outing was the shortest of the season for Woods Richardson and continued a recent trend of abbreviated starts. He hasn't completed five frames in any of his past six appearances.

Martin allowed two runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday.

Martin walked three batters in the first inning but escaped without allowing run. His lack of control caught up with him in the fourth, however, as he allowed a two-out walk followed by a hit-by-pitch and an infield single to load the bases and force his exit. Martin was then charged with two runs when Michael Soroka came on in relief and allowed a two-run single to Taylor Ward. It was the second time in his final three starts that Martin was unable to complete four frames, and he gave up 10 runs across 11.2 innings during that stretch.

Littell (8-10) took the loss Wednesday against Detroit, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and zero walks while striking out seven in 4.2 innings.

Entering Wednesday's action on an 18-inning scoreless streak, Littell immediately served up a leadoff home run to Parker Meadows in the first. Littell was able to settle in afterwards, but the Rays' offense only mustered one run of support in the 7-1 defeat. After starting 18 games over the first six years of his career, Littell started 29 contests for the Rays in 2024, posting a respectable 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 141:31 K:BB in 156.1 innings (29 starts).

Montero allowed one run on four hits and two walks across 2.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rays. He struck out two.

Montero started the game and managed to limit the damage, but he allowed too many baserunners and got lifted after only tossing 55 pitches. The Tigers then turned to Sean Guenther, who was much more effective, as he posted two perfect innings with three strikeouts to earn the win. Montero has had some nice moments during his rookie season, though the Tigers didn't take any chances extending the youngster Wednesday as they claw toward a playoff spot. The righty is not slated to start again during the regular season but could be used in relief over the weekend if a need arises. If this is it for Montero in 2024, he'll finish the year with a 4.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 75 strikeouts across 95.1 innings.

Lorenzen left his start against Washington on Wednesday as a precaution due to lower-body fatigue.

Lorenzen was activated off the injured list earlier Wednesday after missing the past month with a hamstring strain, so the Royals likely didn't want to push it once he reported discomfort on the mound in the third inning. The 32-year-old's abbreviated outing will presumably mark the end of his regular season, leaving him with a 3.37 ERA and 1.25 WHIP alongside a 94:60 K:BB across 25 appearances (24 starts), and he'll now look to prepare for the Royals' postseason run.